I have had trailers all my life but they either didn't have brakes or had electric brakes.

This is the first boat trailer that has brakes, and I think they are surge brakes.

What is this in the picture circled in red? It is a hole in the tounge that the other piece, im gonna call it a key fits into. Backing it up the driveway without the key in makes the trailer brakes lock up, on flat ground it backs just fine with it in or out. Is that piece supposed to stay in all the time? Or just when needed?

Red, your trailer plug should be a 5 flat. The 5th wire on the plug makes the backing actuator release when you put the truck into reverse. The key & slot is supposed to be used in emergencies (like your fuse blows or wherever you can think of that would require the brakes not to work).

There should also be a tab under the tongue that is for the breakaway cable, if you pull the breakaway cable then you'll have to push the tab up to release the brakes.

If you have a 7 RV round plug (as you know your Chevy does) on your truck then you can buy a 7 round to 5 flat convertor or replace your boat trailer light plug with a 7 round and make sure the backup brake release wire is in the proper slot. (I think the center prong is the backup)

Yes it is a 5 flat. We are using a 5-flat to 7 pin converter. The trailer backs up just fine on flat ground or into the lake, but when you go to back it up the driveway into the garage (its a fairly steep grade) the brakes lock. Ill check to make sure all wiring is hooked up correctly and go from there. Thanks.

Yes it is a 5 flat. We are using a 5-flat to 7 pin converter. The trailer backs up just fine on flat ground or into the lake, but when you go to back it up the driveway into the garage (its a fairly steep grade) the brakes lock. Ill check to make sure all wiring is hooked up correctly and go from there. Thanks.

Check the gravity switch. Seriously, if it works correctly on flat ground and backing DOWN a ramp, it is connected right. Backing UP a STEEP driveway is allowing the weight of the boat to apply the brakes just as it is designed. Remember surge brake. That is what the key is for.

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While the trailer lights are hooked up to the vehicle, have someone apply the brakes and shift into reverse while you listen near the tongue of the trailer. You should hear a distinctive and audible "click" when the vehicle is placed into reverse. That is the lock-out solenoid engaging. If you don't hear that click, the solenoid isn't working.